We recently celebrated with Childline at their annual ball, supported by the UK Media Industry. Smashing every record to date, the ball raised £920,000 for the charity, making an incredible difference to the amount of work they’ll be able to do in the next year and the number of children they’ll be able to help.

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The BEARs’ home of Farringdon has been a flurry of activity this past week due to the ever popular Clerkenwell Design Week; boasting “over 60 showrooms, a wealth of creative agencies and more architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet!”, it’s certainly been busy. Thankfully, Ross Lovegrove’s ‘Solar Tree’ sprouted up just in time to save us weary design lot from exhaustion. A charming example of urban design backed up with some impressive green credentials – putting energy back into the grid – we think it’s a great way to brighten up the place. More info can be found here.

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30 May 2012

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The BEARs were out again last night, this time to see the infamous David Bailey at the acronym-tastic D&AD Q&A, answering questions from the BBC Culture Show presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon. Bailey gave an informal and humorous insight into his life and career – choosing to talk about his many TV adverts (saying he’d “done hundreds of the things!”) rather than his iconic photos, remarking that he enjoyed moving image as “nobody had time to spot his mistakes”. It was fascinating to hear Bailey’s story; from leaving school at 15, his struggle with dyslexia, and run-ins with various ad men. In conclusion, Bailey has seen and done it all, but clearly still has a twinkle in his eye.

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26 Apr 2012

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Last night the BEARs went to feast their eyes upon the Pick Me Up private view at Somerset House. We never miss this contemporary art fair, and this year was an especially good one. We devoured the fresh illustrations and a preponderance of stylish screen prints, which are becoming more and more popular in the London art scene. I loved seeing Print Club London working in a mini studio, doing live screen prints and selling one-offs at very affordable prices.This show is a must-see, and growing bigger every year. We thoroughly enjoyed it, and felt like a part of something very exciting happening in London’s design hub. See you there next year!

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22 Mar 2012

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I was lucky enough to be invited to a private viewing of David Hockney’s much talked about ‘A Bigger Picture’ exhibition at the Royal Academy. Edith Devaney, the curator, took us around 13 rooms of Hockney’s work, going into detail about all the pieces on show, from his early college paintings to his much discussed iPad works.

It was impressive to see how Hockney had really used the architecture and space of the gallery to present his work, consciously using archways, seating, and entire walls to maximum effect.

My personal highlight was a huge video installation where the artist fitted his car with six video cameras and drove down a leafy Yorkshire country lane, and then pieced the video together using six separate screens, repeating the process in spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Although the exhibition showcased work from throughout Hockney’s career, it wasn’t meant to feel like a retrospective (and didn’t), but instead focus on his connection to Yorkshire and his approach to creating work, examining the effects of the seasons by revisiting locations throughout the year. Well worth going to see – a show I hope to go back and visit again soon.

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24 Jan 2012

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Happy New Year! Our first post of 2012 is a dangerous one…
Artist Toby Summerskill risked his life while 14 meters off the ground near Barbican to produce this breathtaking 85sqm aerosol mural right on our doorstep for the new Mission Impossible movie. Having some very creative advertising to admire on a dreary December morning was a treat, and we would love to see many more exciting works of art being produced around Old Street.
‘Inspired by the film’s gravity defying stunts the vast majority of the mural was created using abseiling and rope access techniques.’
Agency: End of the Line.

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13 Jan 2012

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Went to the opening evening of Zaha Hadid’s latest London based project, built for the Spanish sanitaryware giant, Roca. Regardless of whether you like this type of space-age architecture (Starship Enterprise was never far from my mind) there is no denying it is impressive. According to the accompanying website ‘The concept for the Roca London Gallery begins with water in its many forms and phases as both an idea to make space and to express our adaptability and openness to change and innovation. Water acts as a theme for the architecture theme, connecting all aspects of the Gallery. The displays and the areas around each display have been shaped by the movement of water. Water has created a changeable space, one which people will continue to return to.’

The gallery is open to the public and will also be available for commercial events. If you’re looking for a new toilet and you’re in the area then have a look.

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18 Oct 2011

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If you’re ever in Paris, check out this place. It’s a hub of creativity – a unique and innovative centre of contemporary arts. It holds artistic workshops, has resident artists, exhibition spaces, two theatres, shops and a restaurant. IN_PERCEPTIONS is currently showing at CENTQUATRE (5, rue Curial, 75019 Paris), until Dec. 9th, and consists of five mind-bending monumental installations by artists Leandro Erlich, Ann Veronica Janssens and Lawrence Malstaf. Think modern day Esher.